It seems like there has been a huge change in me after that night.
I'm no longer the old Tali who used to eagerly await Rozzean's arrival, always ready with a smile whenever he gave an order, and constantly watching when he's around. I let it be now, and I don't volunteer when he instructs Manang either. I... was quiet.
"Tali, make me some coffee."
Now, he just got home and sat in the living room, untying his tie. I saw from the corner of my eye that he looked at me, but I just lowered my head and quickly turned away to do what he just ordered.
Don't be so obvious, just do your work, Thaliana.
After what happened in the kitchen two days ago, I have truly changed my approach toward him.
Even in my speech, I've become different, and I no longer respond rudely. Sometimes, when I just nod and acknowledge with a simple "yes," I see that he still gazes at me before I turn away. This is what he wants, after all – a maid who carries out household tasks.
Once I finished preparing the coffee, I walked over to the living room and placed the cup I'd prepared for him on the coffee table.
I was about to turn and leave when he called me.
"Tali."
Act normal, Thaliana, so you can stand by what you said that you'll never develop feelings for him. He might be testing you again.
"Do you have a problem? I've noticed that these past few days, you seem different," he asked.
He... noticed.
I wanted to roll my eyes at what he said but what am I sulking anyway? it is normal for him to test his maids.
"I don't have any problems, sir," I replied without a smile.
The truth is, I'm only like this with him—no longer smiling and playful as I used to be. When I'm with Manang, it's the same as always, nothing has changed. I'm just irritated because, perhaps, I still can't accept what happened that night. I assumed.
I had never thought that he might have feelings for me.
"You are not smiling when you are in front of me. You are not as lively as you used to be. Also, you don't look me in the eyes when I am talking."
I was surprised by what he said. He noticed all of that?
Rozzean shook his head and touched his forehead. There was no longer a gauze pad, and his wound had healed.
"Okay, just forget about it. Go. I don't need anything else. Tell Manang that I have an important meeting with an investor later today here at home. Prepare dinner."
I nodded, bowed, and then turned around. I went to Manang at the back of the house, still thinking about what Rozzean had said. It meant he knew that I always smiled when I was in front of him. He even noticed my loud voice when I talked to Manang and my direct gaze into his eyes when speaking to him.
I hadn't been doing any of those things for the past two days because I found out that he had just been testing me to see if I would develop feelings for him.
I slapped my cheeks with my hands. Here you go again, Thaliana, don't be so weak! Just because he noticed some changes in you, you're overly affected! there's nothing special about it.
When I saw Manang, I approached her. She was busy watering the plants at the back.
"Manang, sir will have a visitor, an investor. They'll have dinner here," I said.
She turned off the hose and walked over to me.
"It's late, huh? Rozzean is really diligent when it comes to work."
We both walked back into the house. That's another thing I noticed. Rozzean is a very serious person when it comes to work, and I also observed that even on weekends when he should be resting, he's still working.
"I'll cook, Tali, just help me with the chopping."
I nodded to Manang, and she told me she would be cooking "menudo," so I started chopping the necessary ingredients. While I was tending to the ingredients, Rozzean entered the kitchen. He was still in his office attire.
I thought he had something to say, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw him just... wait, is he looking at me? but then he left with no words.
Why did he look at me? What was that?
"Tali, did something happen between you and sir?" Manang asked. I was so startled that I almost cut my finger.
"W-What? Manang, nothing! Nothing happened between me and sir, okay?" I said.
Manang laughed heartily, pinching my cheek. Thankfully, she didn't hit my mole, or it might have come off. God, this mole still make me nervous.
"You, you're such a child, you have all sorts of things on your mind. What I mean is, did he scold you? I noticed how quiet you get when sir's around, and you no longer volunteer when he gives orders, so I thought something might have happened."
It seems that even Manang noticed. I am not like this to our boss.
"Nothing happened, really..."
I focused my eyes on chopping the potatoes and carrots. In reality, I shouldn't be acting this way.
"Whatever your problem may be, it's best to tell sir. He won't get angry," Manang advised.
I just gave her a slight smile and remained silent. I busied myself helping her in the kitchen.
"Where do you think sir and the guest will eat, Manang?" I asked as she was transferring the food.
"In the business room, that's where sir talks to the investors and where he eats afterward."
I nodded at her response.
"There's a business room here? I haven't been there yet, Manang. Do you clean it?"
We had finished cooking, and I took the menudo from Manang and placed it on the table.
"Yes, but it's not used very often, so it doesn't get very dirty. I don't clean it frequently either," she replied.
While I was getting two plates, spoons, and forks, Rozzean entered the kitchen. I immediately turned around when I saw him and pretended to be searching in the cabinet, even though I wasn't looking for anything.
Why am I avoiding him?! Automatically, I avert my gaze when he approaches, and when he gets closer, I pretend to be busy again.
"My visitor is here."
I made my reply longer.
"Tali."
I stopped my pretentious search for something when he called my name. I turned to look at him.
"What is it, sir?"
"Make another cup of coffee and bring it to the business room."
"Of course, Sir Rozzean."
I took a cup, and while I was preparing it, I saw from the corner of my eye that Rozzean was still in the kitchen.
He was looking at me!
"Sir, do you need anything else?" Manang asked.
It seemed that Manang had caught Sir's attention, so he looked at her.
"No, when I need the food placed, I'll just call you," he said and then turned and left.
After Rozzean left the kitchen, Manang and I exchanged glances. She came closer to me, and her eyes widened.
"Did you see that?" she asked me.
"I've noticed that many times! When Sir gives you an order, and when you obey it, he looks at you before leaving, and sometimes he even lingers. It makes me think, Tali, could it be that Sir has feelings for you?"
Manang, please stop! Don't be like this, please! I've already changed!
"No way. That's just your imagination, right? Your eyesight is not very clear, isn't it?"
Suddenly, Manang appeared to think about what I said.
"Hmm... maybe, but I have a different feeling," she replied and got a glass of water from the fridge.
I, on the other hand, continued preparing coffee while thinking about Manang's words.
Why is Rozzean acting this way? Could it be because he feels guilty about what he did that night?
I let out a deep breath because of what I thought.
But why, Thaliana? he just did what he usually does.